Bott and Hunter have virtually no chance of knocking off the incumbent. But they do have ideas that are worth discussing in the public square.

There are three candidates running for mayor of Syracuse, but the probable winner was decided in September when voters in the heavily Democratic city chose incumbent Stephanie Miner over two primary challengers. We endorsed the mayor then and won't be changing our minds.

Since the primary, Miner has concentrated on being mayor while her challengers, Green Party candidate Kevin Bott and Conservative Ian Hunter, tried unsuccessfully to draw her into a conversation about the state of the city.

We believe that was a missed opportunity to engage the broader community in that conversation.

And there's plenty to talk about: a wave of random violence; the strategies city police are using to curb it; neighborhoods in decay amid pockets of revitalization; our failing schools; a looming budget deficit.

Miner may be talking about all those things, and more, in her daily travels. She told staff writer Tim Knauss that she's hearing from plenty of people during the course of 14-hour days. Still, how many people meeting the mayor in her official capacity are likely to take her on?

From a political point of view, it's understandable why the incumbent would want to stay above the fray. What would she have to gain from exposing herself to the criticisms of opponents who have little chance of winning at the ballot box?

The better question might be: What would she have to lose?

Not the election. While they are serious, hard-working candidates, Bott and Hunter have no major party backing, no money and virtually no chance of knocking off the incumbent. They do, however, have ideas that are worth discussing in the public square.

During her Twitter town hall Tuesday, the mayor responded to questions from all comers. Her answers were about as deep as you'd expect in a format that allows 140 characters or less.

Did she create an opening in responding to a question from Channel 5's Michael Benny?

Wouldn't we be better off if there was a real in person debate among the candidates Mayor? Yes or no & why? #AskMayorMiner@Syracuse1848